Out-of-State Student Complaint Process

Student Complaint Process

Student complaints are best addressed by the individuals closest to the situation.
As such, Wilkes University provides a process that students should follow if they
have a complaint or grievance. Enrolled and prospective students should first address
any issues by contacting their instructor, if course related, the program director
or supervisor of the involved party. If resolution cannot be achieved, students should
follow the institutional process outlined in the Internal Complaint Procedure. This
process is outlined in both the Undergraduate Student Handbook and the Graduate Bulletin. All students, current or prospective, distance or on-ground, follow the same process
for complaints.

Complaint Process for PA and Other NC-SARA Member States

Federal requirements state that all universities are to provide a clear process for
timely resolution of student complaints and provide contact information for any external
agencies where complaints may be filed. As a member of NC-SARA, Wilkes University
follows the streamlined complaint process they require making it easier for students
to know where to start or who to contact. Students are to first follow the internal
complaint process and exhaust all institutional options before launching an external
complaint. If a resolution cannot be achieved through the Internal Complaint Procedure
noted above, students from PA and other NC-SARA member states should submit appropriate
complaints to the state portal agent for Pennsylvania. A flowchart of the process
can be found here. Contact information is as follows:

It is important to understand that not all issues are eligible for complaint resolution
through external agencies. Grades and student conduct issues are not able to be appealed
to the state portal agency and must be handled through the internal institutional
process.

Complaint Process for Non-SARA States

Students from California and any other non-SARA state or territory are not eligible
to submit complaints through the NC-SARA process and must follow the process prescribed
by their home state or territory. While Wilkes University monitors these agency websites,
information may change without our knowledge. Students should attempt to resolve the
complaint through the established protocol at Wilkes University before contacting
their home state agency.

CaliforniaCurrently, CA does not provide a complaint process for institutions not regulated
by their Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education, which Wilkes is not. CA residents
may contact one of the agencies listed for further clarification of complaint options
in CA.California Bureau for Private Postsecondary EducationP.O. Box 980818W. Sacramento, CA 95798-0818Telephone: (916) 431-6959Fax: (916) 263-1895Email: bppe@dca.ca.govComplaint formorVisit the California Office of the Attorney General website for more information.

Other Complaint Options

In addition to the above possibilities, students have the option to file complaints
with other agencies when appropriate, based on the student's specific situation.

To file a complaint with the University's accrediting body, Middle State Commission
on Higher Education (MSCHE), please review the information they provide about complaints including the complaint policy.

In addition, out-of-state students may opt to file complaints with their home state
agency. A list of those agencies is available here (link document). While Wilkes University
periodically reviews this list, information may change without our knowledge.